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02/15/2010

Health Benefits of Pet Ownership

If you're considering adopting a puppy, kitten, or other pet – or if you already own one – then you know about the companionship and fun pets add to your life. But in addition, owning a pet can boost your health.

Pets: The Physical Benefits

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,pets are good for cardiovascular health: Owning a pet can decrease your blood pressure and lower your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Studies have also found that pet owners are more likely than people without pets to survive after hospitalization for a heart attack, and that owning a pet lowers anxiety and decreases feelings of loneliness and depression.

Pets also help keep their owners fit, since they increase opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities. In a study conducted by the University of Missouri in Columbia, researchers encouraged dog owners to walk their dog for 10 minutes three times a week, and gradually increase to 20 minutes five times a week over the course of a year. The dog walkers lost an average of 14 pounds.

The Pet-Human Bond

Pets can increase the opportunity for socialization — they're a natural topic of conversation and offer a chance to connect with other pet lovers. "Having a pet increases your mental acuity," says Kelly Connolly, M.S., a companion-animals specialist with the Humane Society of the United States. "Remembering to walk and feed your pet exercises your brain, and it increases your sense of responsibility, which is important to people."

The emotional bond between an owner and a dog, cat, or other pet can be as intense as those between humans, and it may offer many of the same psychological benefits. Caring for an animal offers a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Many pet owners believe their pets express a range of emotions. Dr. Stephanie LaFarge, senior director of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Counseling Services, says it is "normal and natural to project human emotions onto animals, even if you know better."

Choosing The Best Pet For You

"Before you get a pet, decide honestly what you want in one," says LaFarge. Some people want to have a more active lifestyle, some desire companionship, and others are looking for protection. In any case, you as the owner should work to foster a genuine relationship with your pet. Take into account what you will be able to handle, in terms of time, attention, and activity. "Regardless of your age and abilities, you will reap the benefits of a pet if you pick the right one for your lifestyle," says Connolly.